Frequently Asked Questions

General

Assistance Dogs Australia (ADA) trains the dogs and they have a long history of working with assistance dogs.

The dogs enter the training program at 8 weeks of age. The puppy education program has a socialisation and training program designed to optimise the foundation behaviour and basic obedience skills of the dog in the home and public area. The starting steps of more advanced skills are also introduced.

On average, the dogs enter the advanced training program at 12-14 months of age. This involves staying at ADA’s National Training School for up to 6 months of training prior to matching and then placement.

The placement period involves training classes for clients over an initial 2-4 week period and then follow up training every month for three months prior to public access testing. Further visits occur if required. The average age a dog is placed is between 18 months and 2 years of age.

Dementia assistance dogs are Labradors or Golden Retrievers that have been chosen for their calm nature and intelligence.

They are working members of the family. They are much more than just household pets.

As puppies they receive two years of training on general obedience and performing a range of tasks that support people living with dementia and their carers. When they have graduated their training they are matched to a household that suits their temperament.

Once introduced into their new home they receive focused training to perform specific tasks that are particular to that environment and person. They then become a working member of the family and help maintain routines, provide physical and emotional grounding and can be a joyful and pleasant distraction.

They are registered as official assistance dogs and can travel on public transport and enter some public buildings.